A Turkish court in Ankara rules to void the Republican People’s Party (CHP) leadership election from the party’s 2023 congress, removing CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and annulling parts of the congress process. The ruling disqualifies Ozel from the chairmanship and leaves the CHP leadership in flux. CHP and Ozel say the decision is politically motivated and aimed at limiting Ozel’s ability to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in future elections, while the ruling is presented by the government side as a legal outcome.
Following the decision, Ozel and CHP figures hold rival rallies in Ankara, with Ozel supporters calling out CHP rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The CHP responds by appealing the court’s decision; Turkish media and Reuters report that an Ankara court rejects the party’s appeal, while further appeals to higher authorities remain pending.
Several outlets also report market unrest after the ruling, with Bloomberg noting selloff pressure and state efforts to support the Turkish lira. The dispute deepens a broader political crisis for Turkey’s main opposition party.
